Why succulents are for you

April 25, 2018

by Bernardine B. de Belen

THE demands of city life have you bolting out the door as soon as you finish the last bit of the morning rituals. Everything is hectic and fast leaving little time for yourself, much less for anything or anyone else. Our surroundings become blurry which can be extremely lonely. Advice columns say caring for something can counter the loneliness. A pet maybe? To tone down the pace? But not everyone can afford a pet in terms of time, money, and effort. In this case, plants are your best bet.

Research studies suggest that plants can make you feel less stressed and improve your concentration. Not everyone though has the luxury of time to tend to sunflowers, trim pretty budding roses or even plant edibles as they require too much tender love and care, but there’s one particular kind of plant that’s great for on-the-go people… succulents!

Succulents, sometimes defined as drought resistant plants, have fleshy leaves, stem or roots that store water. Hobbyists love them mostly for their appearance which is markedly different from the usual flora that they are commonly used as ornamental plants.

They have been trendy for a few years now becoming ornaments of choice because they don’t need much time and effort to grow yet can provide you with good company. Here are some reasons why you should consider having one, or a few:

1. They don’t demand much of your time.

All they really need is repotting and watering. If you’re still too busy to repot, there are those you can buy already in pots with good water drainage system. As for watering, the plants only need it to keep the soil from getting completely dry so it should not be a daily chore.

2. They require little space.

Succulents are generally small plants. You can put them in small pots, ceramic bowls or even in recycled containers like noodle cups or a broken kettle. The possibilities are unlimited. Just make sure there are holes at the bottom for drainage. Putting marbles or pebbles at the bottom help the soil drain the excess water.

You don’t need a garden for these plants, just a little corner indoors, a tabletop, or a windowsill that offers enough sunlight will do.

3. There’s a lot of variety you can choose from.

There are various succulents you can choose from. Some that are big or small, purple or pink and there are some that are luscious green.

4. They are easy to find and easy on the pocket.

Succulents are in malls or bazaars and can even be ordered online. The Quezon Memorial Circle is a popular destination because there are many stores to choose from, allowing customers to find their succulent of choice.

Succulents are extremely cheap, ranging from P20 to P100 depending on how rare or common a specific succulent is. If you want worry-free companions in this concrete jungle, create your little patch of paradise with succulents.

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